10/29/2026
Happy World Ballet Day! 🩰
Today, ballet-lovers across the world celebrate our storied art form and the many people who bring life to each performance. This year’s theme “How Stories are Told,” pulls back the curtain on the immense preparation needed to tell a story through dance and the many moving parts that function simultaneously to create an immersive performance experience.
We’re taking you behind-the-scenes of our upcoming production of “Charleston’s Nutcracker,” which will be performed at the historic Sottile Theatre December 18 through 20. Swipe through to uncover how we tell the story of Clara’s famous holiday journey with her beloved Nutcracker! ➡️
Choreography🧑🩰
“Charleston’s Nutcracker” is choreographed by Artistic Director Jonathan Tabbert, who set our tale in Victorian Charleston, SC. Tabbert used elements from the city’s iconic marketplace to shape unique characters for Act II, each with their own personalities. Choreographing a full-length ballet such as this begins months or even a year in advance for a cast of over 150 professional and youth dancers. The choreography is more than just steps — it tells the story and acts as a roadmap for dancers to portray every intricate detail of their character.
Costumes👗
Costumes are an important factor in immersing audiences in the Victorian setting of “Charleston’s Nutcracker.” In Act I, Victorian dresses and coats set the scene of a Christmas party at the local orphanage. Otherworldly characters are dressed in glittering tutus and sparkling tiaras, setting them apart from the human characters. Act II shopkeepers use individualized color palettes to quickly transport audiences from one divertissement to the next. Directors Jonathan Tabbert and Stephen Gabriel hand-select every costume in the production, and you may even notice variations on some costumes from year to year. Costumes and props are meticulously maintained, repaired, and stored in Palmetto City Ballet’s costume shop.
Rehearsals🩰
Palmetto City Ballet’s Artists spend five weeks preparing for “Charleston’s Nutcracker” under the careful guidance of directors Jonathan Tabbert and Stephen Gabriel. The in-depth rehearsal process involves learning the choreography, perfecting the movements, and practicing how to tell the story in a way that can be understood by all 750 audience members at any given performance. Some of the most challenging rehearsals involve large scenes such as the Snow scene or Waltz of the Flowers, as well as partnering, including the Grand Pas de Deux performed by the Sugarplum Fairy and the Nutcracker.
Artistry🌟
Beyond the choreography, our Artists perfect their storytelling and individual interpretations of each role during five weeks of rehearsals. They use “pantomime,” which is a codified system of movements that tell more complex parts of the story, much like a monologue. It’s essentially a dancer’s version of “talking” without words on stage!
Lighting💡
Palmetto City Ballet’s Lighting Designer, Claire Ahlin, uses a complex system of side and front lighting to set the mood of each scene in “Charleston’s Nutcracker.” Some lights brighten the scene and make the dancers visible, while others are used to subtly enhance the colors of the costumes or establish the setting, such as an outdoor snowscape at night at the end of Act I. An experienced technical crew works backstage to ensure that every prop, backdrop and snowflake appears on cue.
Music🎼
Tchaicovsky’s soaring score sonically transports audiences through Clara’s dreamscape and carries the emotion of each scene. Dancers and choreographers feel the intricacies of every note and use their movements to bring the music to life. The speed and intensity of the storytelling is often dictated by the musical score.
❄️Experience every exceptional element of “Charleston’s Nutcracker” in five stunning performances this December 18, 19 & 20 at the historic Sottile Theatre in downtown Charleston, SC. Celebrate World Ballet Day by reserving your seats today, and don’t miss the chance to save 25% on tickets with our Family Series ticket package!
🎟️ https://cofc.evenue.net/events/pcb-nutcracker
Photo by Annabel Caplea
